OKC Thunder 2014 - 2015

[dankrutka]

Need to win this game tonight. Hopefully Morrow shows up.

Everyone needs to show up. Last week was terrible. OKC just can't go 1-3 against the Bucks, Celtics, Pistons, and Rockets without digging too deep a hole for KD and Russ to dig us out. Really need wins.

[warreng88]

I thought this article was pretty interesting:

Reggie Jackson might be in Oklahoma City next season. He might not.

But regardless of what comes of this murky contract situation, one thing has been made clear — if Jackson does leave, it’ll be to a place that would offer him the starting point guard position and a feature role.

That should eliminate a good chunk of the NBA — 22 teams by my estimation, leaving only seven squads and the Thunder as possible landing spots.

Here’s a look at those potential locations:

New York Knicks: Maybe the most intriguing of this group. The Knicks play in a big market, have cap space and desperately need playmaking help around Carmelo Anthony. Plus, their head coach is familiar with Jackson. Derek Fisher was a mentor to Reggie during his time in Oklahoma City. That’s an automatic advantage other suitors can’t match.

Philadelphia 76ers: Michael Carter-Williams won Rookie of the Year last season. But the Sixers don’t seem that enamored with their young point guard. Philly was reportedly shopping him this past summer. And Jackson would fit because, well, any decent NBA player would fit. He’d immediately be their most accomplished player. And the Sixers have the cap space. The question is whether they’ll use it.

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Knight is a capable point guard, but he, too, is a restricted free agent this offseason. And Jackson is widely considered the more impactful player. It’d be a nice fit, too – a talented but young team for Jackson to mature around. Jabari Parker could develop into a nice running mate. Milwaukee, quietly, may be the team to watch in these sweepstakes.

Miami Heat: If Norris Cole bolts in free agency, the Heat could have a need at point guard. Mario Chalmers is now primarily playing the two and Shabazz Napier is getting limited minutes. So from a personnel standpoint, Jackson could fit. But a partnership remains unlikely. Miami has limited cap space and seems to be gearing up for a big splash in the 2016 offseason.

Los Angeles Lakers: The massive contracts of both Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin both come off the books this offseason. Kobe Bryant will eventually (maybe?) relinquish control of the team. So L.A. would seem like a cushy landing spot for Jackson. But the Lakers strategy has been mega-stars or nothing in free agency the past few offseasons. They’ve avoided long-term deals with second-tier type talents. Jackson would seem to land in that category. So a change of philosophy would be needed.

Indiana Pacers: Jackson wouldn’t be the face of the franchise – that remains Paul George. But he’d be a clear upgrade at point guard. George Hill is making $8 million the next three seasons and $64 million of their cap is locked up next year if all their player and team options are exercised. A transactional overhaul would need to take place to make it a possibility. But that might not be such a bad idea for Indy.

Dallas Mavericks: This becomes a possible destination only if Monta Ellis declines his $8.7 million player option this offseason. But that doesn’t seem out of the question. Ellis will turn 30 next October and might want to secure one final long-term deal before his skills decline. If he leaves, Jackson could slide nicely into that role.

Oklahoma City Thunder: A look at Reggie Jackson's possible suitors ? and the teams he likely won't be playing for | News OK

Who could we get from their teams?

Knicks: Melo and Calderon are the only two vets signed to longer term contracts. Maybe Bargnani?
Philly: Jason Richardson, maybe bring back Eric Maynor?
Bucks: OJ Mayo, Brandon Knight.
Miami: Granger and maybe Wade since he will only have a player option after this year. Maybe he wants to take less money and win a championship with KD and RW?
Lakers: With Perk gone or with a reduced roll, get Hill or Boozer as a backup center, and bring Xavier Henry home.
Pacers: Scola and CJ Watson are up after this year
Mavs: Finally get Tyson Chandler at more of a discount, maybe Villanueva and Jefferson as roll players. I don't think we will see any deals being struck with Dallas because of Cuban's disdain for OKC taking away his market.

[Laramie]

As long as we can keep Sam Presti as GM for the Thunder, we will maintain an individual who in a genius when it comes to NBA talent. The guy studies talent. You talk about getting the best from your dollars, I'll give that award to Presti anyday.

[Anonymous.]

Everyone needs to show up. Last week was terrible. OKC just can't go 1-3 against the Bucks, Celtics, Pistons, and Rockets without digging too deep a hole for KD and Russ to dig us out. Really need wins.

Agreed, told myself before season start that 5 win in November would be on the bad end of keeping it realistic for making playoffs. We get Jazz twice and Nuggets once, if we can win all of those we squeak out with 6 Ws.

I think Nets and Warriors this weekend is going to be tough.

[Anonymous.]

Not looking good. Team looked lost...tired...leaderless last night.

[OKCJapan]

Maybe I am thinking out of line. But with how the Thunder are playing on offense, It seems that Scott Brooks is just an average coach. Without star players, Is this the best the Thunder could be with him at the helm.


, It seems

[Anonymous.]

Officially last in the West. Maybe we can find some spark at homecourt this weekend.

[Tigerguy]

Officially last in the West. Maybe we can find some spark at homecourt this weekend.

Only one team worse in the league, and that's the wretched, winless Sixers. Maybe they can petition for an emergency transfer to the East until they get their feet under themselves?

[Teo9969]

Only one team worse in the league, and that's the wretched, winless Sixers. Maybe they can petition for an emergency transfer to the East until they get their feet under themselves?

We have a better winning percentage against the west than we do the east...

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City is viable NBA market.

We're on the same path as some of the most successful NBA small markets with one major league franchise like Portland, Salt Lake City and San Antonio. We are in our 4th year (2012-2015) of consecutive sellouts as an NBA market.

Video Recall: Oklahoma City Thunder wins first game of team's history; Sunday, November 2, 2008 before 18,163 at the Ford Center. The crowd stood the last 3 minutes of the game, cheering the Thunder to victory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz14...yer_detailpage

Loud & proud Oklahoma City Thunder fans, let's get our swagger back.

2014-2015 NBA Attendance - National Basketball Association - ESPN

[td25er]

As long as we can keep Sam Presti as GM for the Thunder, we will maintain an individual who in a genius when it comes to NBA talent. The guy studies talent. You talk about getting the best from your dollars, I'll give that award to Presti anyday.

-He has a made some great picks, but let's be honest here. He highly coveted Hasheem Thabeet and probably would have taken him over Harden if Thabeet was still on the board, but Harden was obviously a good pick. If Portland had taken Durant, he would have taken Oden.
-Ibaka and Reggie were great picks.
-He traded up to get Cole Aldrich. Bust.
-Steven Adams is Perkins with a marginally better offensive game.
-He almost never brings in a player that is respectable on both sides of the ball. Roberson, Huestis, Adams, Perkins, Sefalosha, Thabeet, Thomas (defense only) or (Harden, Lamb, Morrow, Cook, Reggie (offense only). KD, WB, Ibaka are elite talents and Jones has the gifts to be good on both sides but has the "motor" problem.

[Laramie]

td25er:

-He has a made some great picks, but let's be honest here. He highly coveted Hasheem Thabeet and probably would have taken him over Harden if Thabeet was still on the board, but Harden was obviously a good pick. If Portland had taken Durant, he would have taken Oden.
-Ibaka and Reggie were great picks.
-He traded up to get Cole Aldrich. Bust.
-Steven Adams is Perkins with a marginally better offensive game.
-He almost never brings in a player that is respectable on both sides of the ball. Roberson, Huestis, Adams, Perkins, Sefalosha, Thabeet, Thomas (defense only) or (Harden, Lamb, Morrow, Cook, Reggie (offense only). KD, WB, Ibaka are elite talents and Jones has the gifts to be good on both sides but has the "motor" problem.

Disagree! I understand your frustration.

As Granny use to say,

"IF, is a two-letter word; if it had wings, it would be one hell-of-a-bird."

Let's be realistic. How many GM picks turn out to be a Westbrook or Harden (who is venerable on defense)?

You have Adams on your list as not being 'respectable' on both sides of the ball, what do you know about basketball? Adams was drafted with one year of college under his belt. He has shown improvements that will make the Thunder a better team. You're not going to develop every player into a superstar. Big men like Steven Adams are a premium. Adams, along with many Thunder players are in a transition period without their team's or league's top 10 scorers (Durant, Westbrook).

Look what's happening at Cleveland (5 wins, 5 losses), a team with the pick of the litter; they are in a transition period with proven stars like LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao along with new additions to their roster (Kevin Love, Mike Miller & Shawn Marion).

Every NBA team will have individuals who possess a weakness either on defense or offense. Presti is in a profitable 'small market' where he can't afford to waste too many players on the Thunder roster. Take a Durant off your roster along with Westbrook; there's a domino affect where guys like Ibaka, Jackson, Collison & Morrow have to adjust. Your fast break power is gone without Westbrook, clutch shooting is non existent without Durant.

Oh, yes there's Reggie. He doesn't possess the height necessary to avoid traps; therefore we get locked down on the perimeter with time expiring on the clock, then someone has to launch up a prayer.

[Easy180]

-He has a made some great picks, but let's be honest here. He highly coveted Hasheem Thabeet and probably would have taken him over Harden if Thabeet was still on the board, but Harden was obviously a good pick. If Portland had taken Durant, he would have taken Oden.
-Ibaka and Reggie were great picks.
-He traded up to get Cole Aldrich. Bust.
-Steven Adams is Perkins with a marginally better offensive game.
-He almost never brings in a player that is respectable on both sides of the ball. Roberson, Huestis, Adams, Perkins, Sefalosha, Thabeet, Thomas (defense only) or (Harden, Lamb, Morrow, Cook, Reggie (offense only). KD, WB, Ibaka are elite talents and Jones has the gifts to be good on both sides but has the "motor" problem.

Let's also keep in mind he hasn't exactly had lottery pick material to work with lately with all the wins they have racked up

[Anonymous.]

Another heartbreaker tonight. This is some dark times.

[Laramie]

Another heartbreaker tonight. This is some dark times.

Jimmy, Jimmy, oh Jimmy Mack, when are you coming back?

[Jake]

Time to tank?

[Bill Robertson]

Time to tank?

I would hate to see them tank. On the other hand if teamd 4 through 8 keep winning at the rate they currently are the Thunder will have to win something like 47 of the remaining 68 games to pass the 8th place team. Doable but tough. And finishing 9th would really hurt. No playoff and a bad draft position.

[Laramie]

Reggie Jackson is obviously snake-bitten from the last few attempts in when he couldn't knock down the killer dagger. Andre Roberson looked as surprised as anyone when the ball ended up in his hands.

These guys are NBA professionals, anyone of them should be able to knock down a three. The percentages of success would be better if Morrow, Collison, Ibaka or Jackson were taking that shot. Until Durant & Westbrook returns, we will have to live with the results.

[td25er]

Reggie Jackson is obviously snake-bitten from the last few attempts in when he couldn't knock down the killer dagger. Andre Roberson looked as surprised as anyone when the ball ended up in his hands.

These guys are NBA professionals, anyone of them should be able to knock down a three. The percentages of success would be better if Morrow, Collison, Ibaka or Jackson were taking that shot. Until Durant & Westbrook returns, we will have to live with the results.

Brooks had 2 guys who can't shoot at all on the court for the "final" play where we need a 3. Thomas to inbound the ball and Roberson to set a screen. ARE. YOU. FREAKING. KIDDING. ME? Hmm, maybe inbound with Lamb and set a pick with Collison? There is a virtual zero-percent chance Roberson or Thomas can hit a 3 point basket. At least Lamb and Collison are threats and maybe you can run a play to get Morrow or Ibaka an open look. Fire Brooks now.

[dankrutka]

Absolutely no excuse for that final lineup by Brooks. Very disappointing.

[ljbab728]

Hope at last?

OKC Thunder: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook participate in contact portions of practice | NewsOK.com

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook participated in the majority of the team's practice today, including some contact portions, according to The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry and Anthony Slater.

Even though both are practicing, per NBA rules regarding the hardship exception, neither is eligible to return to the lineup until Friday (vs. New York Knicks) at the earliest. Mayberry explained the hardship exception in relation to the duo's return in his Saturday piece:

The positives within their progression, coupled with the Thunder’s increasingly unsatisfactory record, are indications that both could return sooner than expected. It’s possible the Thunder is targeting Friday’s home game against New York for Westbrook’s return. It would be the day before his originally scheduled evaluation date.

[Laramie]

Brooks had 2 guys who can't shoot at all on the court for the "final" play where we need a 3. Thomas to inbound the ball and Roberson to set a screen. ARE. YOU. FREAKING. KIDDING. ME? Hmm, maybe inbound with Lamb and set a pick with Collison? There is a virtual zero-percent chance Roberson or Thomas can hit a 3 point basket. At least Lamb and Collison are threats and maybe you can run a play to get Morrow or Ibaka an open look. Fire Brooks now.

I doubt if you will see that occur this or next season.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder 97 - Utah Jazz 82

Good ball movement, effort, team work & focus by the Thunder. Perkins, Ibaka & Adams were beasts on defense. Twelve for 26 in three points made/attempted. Lamb went 3 for 3; Morrow 4 of 9.

Time to get a winning streak started...

[Richard at Remax]

Oklahoma City Thunder release Sebastian Telfair, keep Ish Smith - ESPN

[Urbanized]